News & Events

2017 NAIG Bid Process Advances to Next Stage

March 6, 2015

For Immediate Release

NAIG COUNCIL RECEIVES LETTER OF INTENT FROM ONTARIO

NAIG Council has received a letter of intent to bid on the 2017 North American Indigenous Games from the Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO). ASWCO has identified Toronto, Ontario, Canada as the host candidate city for the 2017 NAIG.

The letter from ASWCO’s Chair, Marc Laliberte and Executive Director, Stephen Kwinter was received on January 30, 2015. No other letters of intent were received by NAIG Council as of Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Accordingly, ASWCO has been declared the sole bidder for the 2017 NAIG.

The NAIG Council has formally acknowledged receipt of the letter and advised ASWCO about the preparation and submission of a bid package, which is required by April 2, 2015. The bid package will contain detailed information on the governance and management of a Host Society – the organization established for the purposes of planning and delivering the 2017 NAIG. The package will also contain an overview of their proposed operating budget, venues, and sport and cultural program.

“It’s exciting to have ASWCO step forward and express their desire to bring the 2017 North American Indigenous Games to Toronto, Ontario” said Rick Brant, President of the NAIG Council. “Their vision of hosting these extraordinary games in Ontario demonstrates their commitment to the NAIG movement and their continued leadership in the area of Aboriginal sport development”.

The NAIG Council Executive and 2017 NAIG Bid Committee are overseeing each stage of the 2017 NAIG bid process, which includes bid package development and review, liaising with national partners, a site evaluation tour, and the final bid presentation and vote. The NAIG Council will continue to do its due diligence, in this single-bid scenario, to ensure that the bidder is fully capable of successfully delivering this unique international multi-sport games.

The North American Indigenous Games

The NAIG was created to improve the quality of life for Indigenous Peoples by supporting self-determined sports and cultural activities which encourage equal access to participation in the social/cultural fabric of the community they reside and which respects Indigenous distinctiveness.

The recent 2014 NAIG attracted 4000+ participants to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada plus hundreds of volunteers, spectators, sponsors and other supporters to the 7 day event.